Comedian born out of tragedy

The Greater Shelby Community Theatre presents, “Hollywood Arms,” the story of Carol Burnett’s life, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and Nov. 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 11 at 2:30 p.m. at Cleveland Community College Auditorium.

By Jackie Bridges

Published: Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 07:48 AM.

Carol Burnett is best known for her comedy skits, but the six-time Emmy award winner's life was more like a tragedy.

It is this side of Burnett's life that is presented in “Hollywood Arms,” a production of the Greater Shelby Community Theatre opening Friday at Cleveland Communnity College.

“It’s an aspect of her life that most people would be surprised to find out,” said Georgiana Wright,director of the play written by Burnett and Carrie Hamilton. “She slept on a sofa. Never had a bed and did her homework in the bathroom by a small light. I’ve learned so much about her and her character – for her to have come from where she did to accomplish what she did.”

Two newcomers to Greater Shelby Community Theatre are playing the part of Burnett.Spencer Cain, a student at Crest High School plays the younger Burnett (who is called Helen in the play); while Jamie Brackett Hardin plays the part of the college-age Burnett character.

Cain was recruited by Crest Drama Teacher Jonathan Foust, who is technical director for the production.

“He gave me a script. I read it and I loved it,” said the 17-year-old Cain. “I grew up watching her show. When I told all my friends that I’m in this play and it's about Carol Burnett's life, they said, ‘Who is she?’”

Cain’s parents were fans of Burnett. She grew up watching reruns of “Mama's Family” and the Carol Burnett show.

Carol Burnett is best known for her comedy skits, but the six-time Emmy award winner's life was more like a tragedy.

It is this side of Burnett's life that is presented in “Hollywood Arms,” a production of the Greater Shelby Community Theatre opening Friday at Cleveland Communnity College.

“It’s an aspect of her life that most people would be surprised to find out,” said Georgiana Wright,director of the play written by Burnett and Carrie Hamilton. “She slept on a sofa. Never had a bed and did her homework in the bathroom by a small light. I’ve learned so much about her and her character – for her to have come from where she did to accomplish what she did.”

Two newcomers to Greater Shelby Community Theatre are playing the part of Burnett.Spencer Cain, a student at Crest High School plays the younger Burnett (who is called Helen in the play); while Jamie Brackett Hardin plays the part of the college-age Burnett character.

Cain was recruited by Crest Drama Teacher Jonathan Foust, who is technical director for the production.

“He gave me a script. I read it and I loved it,” said the 17-year-old Cain. “I grew up watching her show. When I told all my friends that I’m in this play and it's about Carol Burnett's life, they said, ‘Who is she?’”

Cain’s parents were fans of Burnett. She grew up watching reruns of “Mama's Family” and the Carol Burnett show.

“It’s a tall order to play the part,” Cain said. “I had to go back and watch some of her videos.”

She said the play is about perserverance.

“No matter what happens to you, you can always make the best of things,” Cain said. “You can’t let that stuff define who you are.”

Hardin also didn’t know when she auditioned for the play that it was about Burnett’s life.

“I did theater in high school and some in college,” she said. “After I graduated, work was hectic. My work schedule has changed and the first thing I wanted to do was get back into theater.”

She went to the auditions just for fun and was surprised when Wright called to offer her the part of older Helen.

“I enjoy taking on a different persona,” Hardin said. “It's been a lot of fun bringing this character to life on stage.”

When the play begins, young Helen is living with her grandma in Texas. Her mom has gone to Hollywood to pursue a writing career. Grandma gets tired of waiting and they go to Hollywood, where the three of them live in a one-room apartment, one block north of Hollywood Boulevard. To escape the strife and conflict, Helen goes up on the roof where she creates her own magical world.

“That was the only way she survived,” Wright said. “It takes a special spark to decide I’m going to break this chain and move on from this life. It wasn’t just about becoming a star; it was breaking the chain and making something of her life that was important to her.”

Because the characters in the play are based on the same characters in the “Mama's Family” skits, one of the challenges for the cast has been to make the characters real people, not caricatures, Wright said.

“The places and the people are real,” she said. “We are trying to find the love they had and the tragedy that so much of their lives seemed to turn out. Their language is not always nice, but it is real. Even though there was a great amount of conflict with these women, they still loved each other. They still cared for each other.”

Want to go?

The Greater Shelby Community Theatre presents, “Hollywood Arms,” the story of Carol Burnett’s life, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and Nov. 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 11 at 2:30 p.m. at Cleveland Community College Auditorium.

Advance tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and students and available at Arnold's Jewelry, Badcock and More, Cleveland County Arts Center and Hamrick Insurance. Tickets at the door are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and students.